Literature, Media and the Romance of Childhood:
States of Innocence and the Business of Frightening Our Children

When: 21-22 August 2012
Where: The University of the Philippines-Diliman
(various locations on campus)

We welcome 250 to 300-word abstracts from postgraduates and early career researchers who would like to contribute 20-minute papers to a two-day conference at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Paper topics include but are not limited to:

a. the sexualisation of children in the media
b. children's literature
c. innocence and experience
d. the gothic imagination and the literature of horror
e. conduct literature and media didacticism
f. maternity, paternity and parenting
g. the Harry Potter phenomenon and relevant popular literature
h. eroticism in literary material for children and teens
i.laws for the protection of children
j. the infantilisation of women
k. anxieties of masculinity and sexual offence
l. parents' responses to the hyperreal and the hyper-connected world
m. fashion, ethics, aesthetics for the young, restless, disaffected and/or anti-social youth
n. the social impact of niched cable and TV channels for children
o. ante-natal parenting programs at hospitals and the economics/politics of childcare
p. publishing for children
q. publishing 'conduct literature' for the 21st century
r. omnigamy, polyamorous partnerships, the neo-nuclear family and the child-raising village
s. pictures/images/movements of health, illness and rehabilitation
t. population and crowding, playgrounds and spaces

The first day of the conference aims to bring together researchers and practitioners engaged in the fields of Childhood Studies, Gothic Literature, Media Studies, Gender Studies, Early Childhood Development, Women's Health, Visual Arts and Mass Media, Children's Literature, Publishing for Children, Child Protection Services, Social Work, Community Development and other related areas. It is hoped that the interdisciplinary nature of the conference opens up the terrain to a multitude of issues, topics and theories surrounding Philippine and international perspectives on childhood and children's texts in various media.

The second day of the conference features writers, artists, illustrators, publishers, bloggers and other practitioners who have had years of experience in producing and reviewing reading material for children.

Send comments and questions to H-Net
Webstaff. H-Net reproduces announcements that have been submitted to us as a
free service to the academic community. If you are interested in an announcement
listed here, please contact the organizers or patrons directly. Though we strive
to provide accurate information, H-Net cannot accept responsibility for the text of
announcements appearing in this service. (Administration)